Shell thinning and residues of organochlorines and mercury in seabird eggs, eastern canada, 1970-76

Journal Article · Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1979 · Pestic. Monit. J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5407008

Pearce, P A; Peakall, D B; Reynolds, L M

Organochlorine and mercury concentrations in 252 eggs of eight species of seabirds, collected from the Bay of Fundy, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the open Atlantic Ocean during 1970-76, are reported. All organochlorines, except DDE and PCB's, were present in low concentrations. DDE, PCB's, and mercury residues were highest in cormorant and petrel, intermediate in alcids, and lowest in eider and tern eggs. Only cormorant eggs had DDE residues high enough to cause eggshell thinning and subsequent population declines. Temporal and spatial contamination patterns are discussed. (1 map, 35 references, 7 tables)

• Research Organization: Canada Dept of the Env, New Brunswick
• OSTI ID: 5407008
• Journal Information: Pestic. Monit. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Pestic. Monit. J.; (United States) Vol. 13:2; ISSN PEMJA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIRDS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
EGGS
ELEMENTS
MERCURY
METALS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES